Kerala eases curbs in Nipah containment wards amid decline in cases
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Health workers bury the body of a 12-year-old Nipah virus victim, at Kannamparambu cemetery in Kozhikode
Thiruvananthapuram: Amid the outbreak of the Nipah virus in the state, the Kerala government on Tuesday decided to ease restrictions in the containment zones of Kozhikode district where a 12-year old child had succumbed to the Nipah virus infection.
The decision was taken as the incubation period of 14 days was over and no new cases have been reported from the region.
"Those with symptoms should remain in houses and they should not go to the vaccine centre. If they develop any health issues, they should immediately contact health workers," state health minister Veena George said in a release.
"However, ward 9 in the Chathamangalam panchayat will continue to be a containment zone. The decision was taken as per the direction of the medical board and the expert committee," said the minister.
The minister also said that the COVID-19 vaccination, which was stopped after the Nipah outbreak will restart from Wednesday.
"Further vaccination will take place as per an action plan. Those with symptoms must not go for vaccination. There are 9,593 people in the containment zone who are yet to get the first dose of vaccine," the minister said.
The Kerala health minister said a total of 115 samples were tested within six days in the special laboratory set up at the medical college.
The health department was on a high vigil since September 4 when the 12-year-old child was found infected with the Nipah virus. The three-km-radius from his house was cordoned off and house-to-house surveillance was conducted and samples were tested.
The child succumbed to the infection on September 5 early morning.